Ep 47 A Career in Photography

Описание: Jim and John connected to discuss photography and filmmaking, with John sharing his journey from initially pursuing filmmaking to becoming a successful professional photographer. They explored technical aspects of photography, including equipment choices, lighting techniques, and the evolution from film to digital formats, while discussing John's experience with product and advertising photography. The conversation concluded with Jim expressing interest in pursuing photography as a side gig and both agreeing to stay in touch for potential future collaborations.

Photography and Filmmaking Journey
Jim and John discussed technical issues with audio and video setup before successfully establishing a connection. Jim introduced John as an expert photographer and filmmaker, and they began a conversation about John's background in photography. John explained that while his initial goal was to become a filmmaker, he found photography more accessible and began taking classes at age 16, though he initially struggled with his first class.

John's Photography Career Journey
John shared his journey into photography, starting at age 16 with classes at Pasadena City College and later attending Art Center College of Design for one semester. He worked at a department store while pursuing photography on the side, eventually transitioning to freelance work through a contract with a car stereo magazine. John highlighted the importance of a single product lighting class at Art Center in helping him make the switch to professional product photography.

Photography Career Transition Insights
John shared his journey from a full-time advertising job to becoming a freelance photographer, highlighting his initial fears and the financial security provided by a 10-day monthly guarantee. He discussed his equipment investments over time, including cameras, strobe units, and tripods, and emphasized the importance of having backups. Jim inquired about John's experience with film photography and development, and they discussed the transition to digital in the photography industry. Jim also described his current teaching methods, which focus on digital photography and include assignments like 20 headshots and a 100-picture portfolio for high school students.

Advancements in Photography Education
Jim discussed his film career and emphasized the importance of teaching students to use regular cameras rather than iPhones to control camera functionalities like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. He explained that students shoot in raw formats (CR2s) and eventually convert them to JPEGs. Jim and John talked about the evolution of photography from film to digital, with John highlighting the shift from shooting JPEGs to raw formats, which allows for more creative control. They also discussed the challenges of capturing decisive moments in photography and the role of lighting in John's work. Jim shared his experience of teaching students to shoot sports events, where they take thousands of pictures in one night to capture the perfect moment.

Photography Career and Teaching Insights
John and Jim discussed photography as a career and teaching approach. John shared his experience as a professional photographer, emphasizing the importance of lighting, composition, and building a portfolio. They discussed camera equipment recommendations and the evolving landscape of photography in the digital age. Jim, who teaches photography to high school students, expressed interest in pursuing photography as a side gig, particularly in real estate and aerial photography. They agreed to stay in touch and potentially collaborate on future projects.